But war is bigger than any one man or woman, whether a private, a general or a president. And as difficult as it is to lose General McChrystal, I believe that it is the right decision for our national security. - BarryInc in the Rose Garden today.

The Left's War Hero who was in the Naval Reserves until 1978... 7 YEARS after he said these things Under Oath to the US Senate:

We are asking here in Washington for some action, action from the Congress of the United States of America which as the power to raise and maintain armies, and which by the Constitution also has the power to declare war.

We have come here, not to the President, because we believe that this body can be responsive to the will of the people, and we believe that the will of the people says that we should be out of Vietnam now....

WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP?

We are also here to ask, and we are here to ask vehemently, where are the leaders of our country? Where is the leadership? We are here to ask where are McNamara, Rostow, Bundy, Gilpatric, and so many others. Where are they now that we, the men whom they sent off to war, have returned? These are commanders who have deserted their troops, and there is no more serious crime in the law of war. The Army says they never leave their wounded.

The Marines say they never leave even their dead. These men have left all the casualties and retreated behind a pious shield of public rectitude. They have left the real stuff of their reputations bleaching begin them in the sun in this country....

Editorial Note: Concluding his formal statement, Kerry commented about administration attempts to disown veterans and looked forward thirty years (to 2001) when the nation could look back proudly to a time when it turned from this war and the hate and fears driving us in Vietnam.

Following his formal testimony, the committee members questioned him during their discussion of some of the legislative proposals under consideration. In the course of this discussion, Kerry spoke with considerable familiarity and understanding about disengagement and withdrawal proposals being considered. In response to a question from Senator Aiken, Kerry endorsed "extensive reparations to the people of Indochina" as a "very definite obligation" of the U.S. (p. 191).
Kerry also commented on growth of American opposition to the war, the actions of Lt. Calley at My Lai, and strategic implications of the war.

...He also cited the "exorbitant" power of the Executive, faulting Congress.
---

Interesting...

Kerry was a Lt. at the Time...

So when is it OK to take the President to Task if you are in the Military?...

It was a stupid *beeping* idea when the left encouraged the military to speak out against the CiC, and its a bad *beeping beeping* idea now.

It comes down to this: The Constitution, highest law of the land, puts the President and the civilian authorities at the top of the chain of command. If there are issues, they need to be passed up the chain. Airing your issues with a superior out for the public to see is a no no in the chain of command for a good reason.

Its bad for the Republic as a whole to allow the Military to try to do an end run around the White House. I don't care about your opinion of the man, but if you're in the Armed Forces, respect the Office and respect your Oath.

It was a stupid *beeping* idea when the left encouraged the military to speak out against the CiC, and its a bad *beeping beeping* idea now.

It comes down to this: The Constitution, highest law of the land, puts the President and the civilian authorities at the top of the chain of command. If there are issues, they need to be passed up the chain. Airing your issues with a superior out for the public to see is a no no in the chain of command for a good reason.

Its bad for the Republic as a whole to allow the Military to try to do an end run around the White House. I don't care about your opinion of the man, but if you're in the Armed Forces, respect the Office and respect your Oath.

You embarrass the CinC when you are a high ranking officer, you get fired, or resign to "spend more time with your family". This crosses party lines.

Lt. Kerry didn't break into the embarrassment threshold. He was, at most, a nuisance. He was one of many low ranking officers questioning the policy. And he did it "nicely" (aka, followed some sort of etiquette and protocol). Not blindsiding the administration in an interview rife with the writer of the article saying "fuck, fucking, etc.", and being quoted as calling administration officials morons, etc.

You can look at it three ways.

1)Either Kerry truly wanted to be respectful of the administration and wished to do it in a manner in which politicians recognize (boring hearings and speeches)

2) He didn't have the balls to go it alone, grab his crotch and wave his middle finger at Nixon.

3) Both. In that he didn't want to hurt his future as a career politician.

It was a stupid *beeping* idea when the left encouraged the military to speak out against the CiC, and its a bad *beeping beeping* idea now.

It comes down to this: The Constitution, highest law of the land, puts the President and the civilian authorities at the top of the chain of command. If there are issues, they need to be passed up the chain. Airing your issues with a superior out for the public to see is a no no in the chain of command for a good reason.

Its bad for the Republic as a whole to allow the Military to try to do an end run around the White House. I don't care about your opinion of the man, but if you're in the Armed Forces, respect the Office and respect your Oath.

Click to expand...

And what would that oath be? and who or what is the oath made to?

Click to expand...

This one:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

It was a stupid *beeping* idea when the left encouraged the military to speak out against the CiC, and its a bad *beeping beeping* idea now.

It comes down to this: The Constitution, highest law of the land, puts the President and the civilian authorities at the top of the chain of command. If there are issues, they need to be passed up the chain. Airing your issues with a superior out for the public to see is a no no in the chain of command for a good reason.

Its bad for the Republic as a whole to allow the Military to try to do an end run around the White House. I don't care about your opinion of the man, but if you're in the Armed Forces, respect the Office and respect your Oath.

Click to expand...

And what would that oath be? and who or what is the oath made to?

Click to expand...

You swear to uphold the Constitution, which put the President, no matter who that currently is, at the head of the Armed Forces making him your higher up in the Chain of Command.

There's a good reason the Constitution did that, or would you rather the Military ran the Government?

By and by, what random said is true. Kerry, as much as I dispise the man, was in front of CONGRESS. A path that is left open to the military to resolve disputes with your chain of command if the chain fails you. That is why he would be within his rights. Not to mention it was policy he was asking congress to change, not going in there and calling anyone a buffoon.

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